Dubai crowd in mad rush to be 'At the Top'

Dubai, January 6, 2010

At the Top, the world’s highest outdoor observation deck located in Burj Khalifa, has opened to an overwhelming public response. Hundreds of people, mostly families, queued up for tickets to Level 124 of Burj Khalifa.

At the Top opened to the public following the dramatic inauguration of Burj Khalifa on January 4 giving them the chance of being among the first to experience its stunning views across the city.

An estimated crowd of 400,000 gasped in amazement as fireworks erupted and searchlights beamed from every platform of the tower.

Thomas Dempsey, general manager, Burj Khalifa, said At the Top would more than live up to people’s expectations.

“The panoramic views are like those from an airplane, such is your height above ground. There is also plenty to take in before you step into the elevators to the 124th floor: interactive displays, montages describing the evolution of the tower, and in-depth information explaining the people and technology responsible for this incredible building,” he remarked.

Tickets for the tour are time stamped at 30-minute intervals, on specific days, in order to carefully manage the daily rush of sightseers.

'The introductory time-stamped ticket price is Dh100 ($27.2 ) for adults, Dh75 for children up to 12 years and free for children under 3 years. For those who simply cannot wait, immediate entry is Dh400 per person, subject to availability,' Dempsey added.

The entrance to the At the Top experience is at The Dubai Mall’s Lower Ground level. The reception area of the attraction features a large illuminated model of Burj Khalifa that introduces and familiarizes visitors with the various sections within the super-tall building.

Multimedia displays ‘Dubai Then and Now’, ‘From Earth to the Sky’ and ‘From Vision to Reality’ narrate the evolution of Dubai and Burj Khalifa.

The ascent to the 124th floor is by a double-deck elevator, each deck carrying up to 14 people and travelling at an amazing 10 metres per second.

In less than a minute, the elevator reaches the observation deck, the world’s only public observatory at this height with an outdoor terrace.

High windows circle the entire viewing platform, and, for Dh10, visitors can scan the horizon and the distant streets below through computerised viewfinders, which also have pre-programmed day and nighttime vistas of the city and surrounding region. Visitors can also buy official merchandise from the At the Top retail boutique, he added.-TradeArabia News Service